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Dike Nets Two Goals as Timbers Run Unbeaten Streak to Nine Games

September 25, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Crystal Palace Baltimore News Release


Baltimore, MD - In their final home match of the season, Crystal Palace Baltimore fell to the Portland Timbers, 3-1, at Paul Angelo Russo Stadium. With their victory, Portland evened the season series with Baltimore at two games apiece. The Timbers struck first just three minutes in, as Bright Dike netted a goal for the visitors. Dike got his second goal in the 41st minute. Doug DeMartin assisted on both of the first half strikes. Baltimore clawed back with a penalty from Gary Brooks in the 73rd, but Portland sealed the deal as sub George Josten scored with four minutes to go.

The visitors struck first just three minutes into the contest, as Doug DeMartin delivered a cross from the right side onto the foot of Bright Dike, who slotted his shot past Baltimore netminder Mark Murphy for a 1-0 lead. Six minutes later, Dike almost netted a second, but his blast caromed off the crossbar. Baltimore had two great opportunities to equalize just past the quarter hour mark. Off of a corner kick, the ball found its way to Alan Sanchez, but his shot from outside the box missed the left post by just inches. Neto had space inside the box to put another chance on Portland goalkeeper Matt Pyzdrowski moments later, but his shot sailed wide right.

The combination of DeMartin to Dike again paid dividends for the Timbers four minutes from halftime. DeMartin moved inside the box and delivered a short pass in traffic to Dike, who coolly slotted home his second of the game to put the visitors up by a pair.

Baltimore looked to have an early goal just 30 seconds into the second half, when Neto struck a fierce shot from 30 yards out. However, Pyzdrowski made a spectacular diving save to keep his clean sheet intact. The home side would find themselves down to ten men in the 57th minute, as Santiago Fusilier picked up his second card, and was sent off from the pitch.

With 20 minutes to play, Baltimore was able to claw back into the game. Immediately following a couple of great saves by Murphy against a barrage of Portland shots, Gary Brooks was taken down inside the box, and referee Jozaitis awarded a penalty to the home side. The Jamaican sent his penalty kick into the lower left corner of the net for his team-leading fourth goal of the season, giving Baltimore hope at 2-1.

Portland secured the three points in the 86th minute, as Josh Cameron sent in a cross from the left side to substitute George Josten, who clipped a shot into the top corner of the net for a 3-1 lead.

The Timbers (13-7-9) sit at third place in the USL Conference, and they extend their unbeaten streak to nine games with the victory. Baltimore's seventh defeat in a row drops their record to 6-17-6. They will conclude their 2010 regular season on Friday, October 1st, as they face the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

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U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from September 25, 2010


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